British scientists are to conduct the world's largest study of the genetics behind the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Data from 50,000 individuals will be used to determine genetic variants linked to susceptibility to COPD.

In particular, researchers want to see how COPD genes relate to smoking, a major risk factor for the disease.

COPD comprises a group of disorders including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Each year it affects around 900,000 people in the UK, causes 30,000 deaths, and costs the NHS 500 million.

Details of the new study are being released to mark World COPD Day.

The scientists will draw on the resources of the new UK Biobank, which holds genetic samples as well as health and lifestyle information on half a million volunteers.

Lead researcher Professor Ian Hall, dean of Nottingham Medical School, said: "We currently know very little about why there is such a wide difference in lung health even among smokers. It may have something to do with genetics so we're extremely excited about using the unique resource of the UK Biobank to test this theory."

The work is being funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). Professor David Lomas, chair of the MRC Population and Systems Medicine Board, said: "We know that smoking is unhealthy for anyone but we know little about why the lungs of most smokers are seriously affected, while those of some seem to stay relatively healthy.

"If we knew more about the genetics that cause this variation we would be better able to direct treatments to those who are most at risk and have an increased chance of developing drugs to target this type of lung disease."

Scientists from the University of Nottingham, the University of Leicester, and St George's, University of London, are taking part in the research.

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Genetics study into lung condition

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